Please find below the notes from the Elder's Prayer this past Sunday.

As we were singing this morning, I was struck with the consideration of the personal character of the God of whom we are worshiping. He is an entity unto Himself. A social entity, having community within the trinitarian nature of Himself. He has personality, even feelings. He is thoughtful, sorrowful, angry, loving, just and jealous. He demands the worship of Himself first and only.

But he is also approachable. Joyful when a sinner repents...

1 The LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: 2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. 4 Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding! 5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone,  7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 8 Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, 9 when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, 10 and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, 11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’? 12 Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, 13 that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? (Job 38:1-13)

16 Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? 17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? 18 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this. 19 Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness, 20 that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home. (Job 38:16-20)

22 Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, 23 which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war 24 What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth? (Job 38:22-24)

31 Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion? 32 Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children 33 Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth?" (Job 38:31-33)

2 Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it ... 8 Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right? ... 10 You Adorn yourself with majesty and dignity; clothe yourself with glory and splendor. 11 Pour out the overflowings of your anger, and look on everyone who is proud and abase him! 12 Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low and tread down the wicked where they stand! 13 Hide them all in the dust together; bind their faces in the world below! 14 Then will I also acknowledge to you that your own right hand can save you!” (Job 40:2, 8, 10-11, 12-14)

1 Then Job answered the LORD and said: 2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ... 3 Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know... 5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; 6 therefore I despise myself, and I repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:1-3, 5-6)

(Prayer)

Lord, you are perfectly holy, wonderful beyond our imagination, generous in what you’ve created, gracious even in creating us, you are loving to let us know you, you are merciful to save us.

You are just to judge sin, but Fatherly to forgive your chosen children.

How exciting it is to sit within the presence of other members of your body! To worship you, to praise your character, and even to yearn for your return. Lord return quickly!

As we continue in our unified, collective worship of you this morning, may we glorify you in our singing, in our giving, in our speech and in our activities with one another later today, and in our hearing of the word as it is preached.  

We are grateful for the privilege of knowing you, the privilege of obeying you. Make us humble and repentant servants of you for your glory. You alone are the God who saves!

Amen.